Refrigerating apparatus



No e; 1934. SLBRIGHT 1,98,1,830

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Original Filed Aug. 20, 1927 2 Sheet s-Sheec 1 INVENTOR. 66? L #3 72197) t,

WW W A TTORNEYS v NOV. 20, 1934. BRIGHT 1,981,830

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Original \Filed Aug. 20, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 56th L. ,Brzjhb BY 7km W ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Seth L. Bright, Detroit, Mich., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Arid Ice Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan- Application August 20, 1927, Serial No. 214,393 Renewed April 25, 1934 cream. (01. 62-121) it is possible to manufacture solid cakes or blocks.

of ice from carbon dioxide or other refrigerant. Heretofore carbon dioxide has been solidified to form a flaky substance termed snow which 'in some instances has been pressed into cakes or the like. However in accordance with my present invention I provide means whereby during the solidification of the carbon dioxide the same is compacted into solid bricks or cakes thus facilitating the handling thereof and its subsequent use as a refrigerating agent.

Dry ice bricks manufactured in accordance with my invention have numerous and novel uses. Dry ice bricks of this character may be placed in cartons or receptacles containing ice cream, milk, butter or any other edibles or perishable substances whereby the same may be preserved against spoiling for variable periods of time depending upon the size of the bricks thus enabling perishable products to be shipped or transported. Dry ice bricks formed in accordance with this invention offer the possibility of use in the manner just suggested by reason of the fact that more solid and compact cakes are produced thereby providing a greater quantity of solidified refrigerant in a brick of given dimensions than has heretofore been obtained.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method and means whereby compressed bricks or cakes of solidified refrigerant may be formed directly in a container whereby the subsequent handling thereof is facilitated or'may be formed directly in a receptacle formed for instance in the cover or other part of a container, dish or other type of receptacle.

The several objects, advantages and novel details of construction of my invention, as well as the manner in which my improved method is practiced will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the'accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a form of apparatus forming the subject matter of this invention and by means of which my improved method may be practiced.

Figure- 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the structure illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary detail vertical sectional' view of the latch mechanism employed in connection with the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by line 4-4 in Figure 2, and

Figure 5 is a sectional view through a con tainer in which dry ice bricks may be formed.

My invention contemplates the use of a refrigerant such as carbon dioxide (CO2) which is provided under pressure in a tank such, for instance, as-indicated at 10 in Figure 1. While carbon dioxide is normally used in the form of a gas I find it advantageous to mix therewith certain chemicals which maintains the same in a liquid state so that I am able to provide a source of liquid refrigerant under pressure.

An apparatus which in practice has been found to be entirely satisfactory and ef ficient for the purpose'of practicing my improved method is illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive and consists generally of a base 11 which may be secured to any suitable support 12. This base rigidly supports a lower casing or member 13 within which a valve mechanism indicated generally by the reference. character 14 may be conveniently housed. This valve mechanism includes an inlet 15 connected by means of a valve coupling 16 to a refrigerant supply tube 17 which is connected to the tank 10 constituting the source of refrigerant under pressure. Obviously the tank 10 may be provided with a valve coupling 18 the valve being operable by a handle 19 thereby facilitating the connection of full tanks when a or part 23. This valve stem carries a valve member 24, preferably although not necessarily, of conical form which in one position is adapted to close the valve inlet 15. The upper end of the valve stem 23 is threadedly or otherwise secured to a pressure plate 25 and the pressure plate, valve stem and valve are normally urged upwardly into the position illustrated in Figure 2, and in which position the valve is opened, by means of a coil spring 26. When the pressure plate 25 is depressed against the action of spring 26 valve member 24 is moved to close inlet port 15.

Located and rigidly mounted within the casing or housing part 13 is asupporting plate or spider 29 being arranged at the periphery of this supporting plate. Overlying the supporting plate 27 is a wall member indicated generally by the reference character 30 and composed preferably of one or more plies of woven fabric. In the embodiment of the invention herein illustrated, this wall member consists of two layers of canvas or the like 31 arranged between two sheets of wire mesh 32. A multiple ply material of this character provides a substantially imperforate wall but one inwhich the refrigerant may pass through the interstices thereof. The periphery of the wall 30 may be securely fastened to the supporting member 2'7, as for instance, by means of a clamping ring 33 bolted or otherwise secured thereto.

The reference character 34 indicates the upper easing or housing member which is movable with reference to the lower member 13 and may be raised into the dotted line position indicated by the reference character 3 .1 so that access may be had to the chamber defined by the two housing portions 13 and 34. For this purpose, housing member 34 is supported by means of a rod 36 which is slidable in a tubular portion 37 of a supporting arm 38 extending upwardly from the base 11. For raising and lowering the housing part 34. 1 preferably provide a pinion 39 which meshes with a rack 40 formed on the rod 36. The pinion 39 may be rotated by means of a handle ll. After the housing part 34 has been raised it may be conveniently maintained in this position by means of a spring pressed latch 42 normally urged by means of a spring 43 into a posi tion where its inner end engages in a recess 44 formed in the rod 40. Obviously this latch 42 is retractable against the tension of the spring 43 to permit the upper housing 34 to be lowered.

Arranged within the upper housing 34 and spaced from the upper wall thereof is a supporting plate l5 companion to supporting plate 27. This supporting plate is provided with a plurality of apertures at, certain ones of which specifically indicated by the reference character 47 are arranged at the periphery whereby the refrigerant which passes upwardly through apertures 46 may pass downwardly through these apertures i? adjacent the outer wall of the housing and thence through apertures 29 and escape to the atmos phere under the lower edge of housinglii. Ar-

' ranged adjacent supporting member is a wall 48 similar in construction to the wall 30 that is, it is preferably formed of a plurality of sheets of canvas or the like enclosed between sheets of wire mesh. This wall member 48 may be secured to supporting member 45 at its periphery by means of a clamping'ring 49.

For forming the outer periphery wall of a chamber in which the dry ice brick or cake is to be formed I may provide a cylindrical collar or ring 50 which may be placed uponthe lower support ing plate 27 within the ring 33 as most clearly illustrated in Figure 2. Thereafter the upper housing member 3% may be brought into the posidefining the periphery wall of a chamber indicated by the reference character 51 while the walls 30 and 48 together with the supporting plates 27 and 45 respectively form the upper and lower walls of this chamber.

Thereafter one of the valves in the refrigerant line, preferably valve handle 20, is operated to open communication between the source of refrigerant in tank 10 and the valve 14. The re frigerant under pressure flows into the inlet opening through the valve 14 through passage 21 and passage 22 and into the chamber 51. It is permitted to expand in the chamber 51, the pressure escaping through the interstices of the upper and lower walls. Thus atmospheric pressure is maintained in chamber 51 and the refrigerant is permitted to expand and solidify therein. This forms a flaky substance commonly termed snow which accumulates in chamber 51 and because of the rigidity of the walls thereof tends to pack into a cake or brick. The accumulated snow, as mentioned, forms a brick which increases in size until the pressure exerted upon pressure plate 25 of the valve causes the valve to be depressed against the action of spring 26 whereby the supply of refrigerant is cut off at the inlet opening 15. When this is done of course the chamber 51 is completely filled with solidified refrigerant which by reason of its being confined in a chamber having rigid walls is packed into a solid cake. When the valve has operated to cut off the supply of refrigerant, handle 20 may thereafter be moved to closed position whereupon handle 41 may be operated to raise the upper casing 3 and the brick of solidified refrigerant removed. After its removal it may be readily freed from the tubular collar or outer wall 50 and the brick is ready for use in any of the ways heretofore more fully referred to.

Obviously bricks of solidified refrigerant such as just referred to may thereafter be placed in compartments provided for that purpose in cartons, tanks, dishes or other containers or they may be placed in boxes provided particularly for that purpose such as illustrated in Figure 5 and indicated by the reference character 52 The advantage of placing these bricks in containers 52 is that they may be more conveniently handled thereafter without liability of injury to the person owing to the extreme low temperature thereof. In Figure-5 I have illustrated a container having a cover 53 with the upper and lower walls thereof provided with a plurality of perforations 5t. Containers of this character may be made of any desired material but it has been found that paste- .board, cardboard, heavy paper or the like is enin chamber 51 of the apparatus shown in section in Figure 2 and the refrigerant introduced therein in the manner just described. Under these conditions the refrigerant expands within the container and solidifies therein substantially atmospheric pressure being maintained by reason of the plurality of perforations. The formation of the brick in the container forces the lower wall thereof downwardly which in turn operates the valve so that the supply of refrigerant may be automatically controlled.

Obviously the automatic control feature here inbeiore referred to need not be always employed lilll filed of even date herewith entitled Containers,

Serial No. 214,395.

In the foregoing description I have described one form of apparatus somewhat in detail together with my improved method of forming solid bricks or cakes of solidified refrigerant. It

will be immediately apparent however, to those skilled in this art that many of the essential and all of the non-essential details of the herein described apparatus may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and furthermore that the herein described method is capable of varied and manifold uses. To this end reservation is made to make such changes in the apparatus and method herein described as may come within the purview of the accompanying claims.

What I claim as my invention is:--

I. In the method of forming dry ice bricks, those steps which consist in introducing a refrigerant under pressure intoa chamber having rigid walls, maintaining substantially atmospheric pressure in said chamberand interrupting the flow of refrigerant by pressure exerted by the completely formed brick.

2. In the method of forming dry ice bricks, those steps which consist in introducing a liquid refrigerant which is under pressure into a cham her having rigid perforated walls whereby the refrigerant expands to atmospheric pressure and solidifies and cuts off the flow of refrigerant by the displacement of the completely formed brick.

3. In the method of forming bricks or cakes of a solidified refrigerant, those steps which consist in introducing the refrigerant under pressure Y into a chamber having rigid walls against which the solidified refrigerant may pack, maintaining substantially atmospheric pressure in said chamber and operating refrigerant cut-off means by the displacement ofthe completed brick.

i. In apparatus of the character described, a

pair of relatively movable members, rigid perfo automatic means for stopping the flow of refrigerant into said chamber.

6. In a device of the class described, a base member, a cap member, means for raising and lowering said cap member, perforated supporting members carried by said base and can members, means insertable therebetween defining a chamber and means for introducing a compressed refrigerant into said chamber, as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In apparatus of the character'described, a pair of relatively movable members, means for relatively moving said members, rigid perforated walls carried by said members constituting walls of a chamber and means for introducing a'refrigerant into said chamber.

8. In the method of forming dry ice bricks, those steps which consist in introducing a refrigerant under pressure into a chamber where it expands and solidifies and interrupting the flow of refrigerant into the chamber by the pressure of the accumulated solidified refrigerant.

9. In the method of forming d y ice bricks, those stepswhich consist in introducing a refrigerant under pressure into' a chamber maintained at substantially atmospheric pressure and interrupting the fiow of refrigerant by the displacement of the accumulated refrigerant.

10. In the method of forming dry ice bricks, those steps which consist in introducing a refrigerant which is under pressure into a chamber having a rigid wall, expanding the refrigerant to substantially atmospheric pressure and controlling the passage of refrigerant to said chamber by the displacement of the accumulated refrigerant.

11. In the method of forming dry ice bricks, those steps which consist in introducing a refrigerant under pressure into a chamber having a rigid wall, expanding the refrigerant to substantially atmospheric pressure whereby it solidifies and packs against said rigid wall and controlling the passage of the refrigerant to said chamber by the displacement of the accumulated refrigerant.

12. In apparatus of the character described, means providing a chamber, means for introducing a refrigerant under pressure into said chamber and means actuated by the pressure of the accumulated refrigerant for controlling the flow of refrigerant into said chamber.

13. In a device of the class described, a pair 0 elements, means for separating said elements, supporting means associated with said elements, means insertable therebetween defining a chamber and means for introducing a refrigerant under pressure into said chamber.

14. In apparatus of the character specified;

separable members adapted to enclose the shell of a refrigerating element, means for supporting said element in spaced relation to said members; means for introducing liquefied carbon dioxide gas into the shell and means for permitting the escape of'waste vapors from the members as said shell is filled with carbon dioxide crystals.

15. In apparatus of the character specified, separable members adapted to form a compartment,

means for supporting the shell of a refrigerating element in spaced relation to said compartment; means for introducing liquefied carbon dioxide gas into the shell, and means in said compartment to prevent the escape of carbon dioxide crystals from the shell in said compartment while permitting the escape of waste vapors therefrom. 1

16. In apparatus of the character specified, upper and lower members adapted to form a compartment adapted to enclose the perforate shell of a refrigerant element, means for supporting a refrigerating element shell, means for introducing liquefied carbon dioxide gas into the shell within said compartment; and reticulated cloths or screens covering the perforations in the shell to prevent the escape of carbon dioxide crystals from the shell, while permitting the escape of waste gases therefrom as the shell is filled with carbon dioxide crystals.

17. In apparatus of the character specified, having a compartment to contain the perforate shell of a refrigerating element; perforated plates in said compartment between which the shell is confined; means for introducing liquefied carbon dioxide gas into the shell in said compartment, andmeans permitting the escape of waste gases from the shell as it is filled with carbon dioxide crystals.

18. In apparatus of the character specified, hav-- ing a compartment adapted to contain a perforate shell of a refrigerating element; perforated plates in said compartment between which the shell is confined; means for introducing liquefied carbon dioxide gas into the shell in said compartment, and screens or cloths covering the perforations in the shell to permit escape of waste gases from the shell as it is filled with carbon dioxide crystals,

19. in apparatus of: the character specified, having a compartment adapted to contain the perforate shell of a refrigerating element; perforated plates in said compartment between which the shell is confined; means for introducing liq uid carbon dioxide gas into the shell and cloths or screens on the upper side of the lower perforated plate and the under side or": the upper perforated plate to prevent the escape of carbon dioxide crystals through the openings in said plates.

20. In apparatus of the character specified, upper and lower separable members adapted to enclose a perforate shell of a refrigerating ele-= ment; perforated plates in said members between which the shell is confined; means ior introducing liquefied carbon dioxide gas into the shell in said compartment, and means permitting the escape of waste gases from the shell as it is filled with carbon dioxide crystals.

21. In apparatus of the character specified, upper and lower separable members adapted to enclose a perforate shell of a refrigerating element; perforated plates in said members between which the shell is confined; means for introducing liquefied carbon dioxide gas into the shell, a layer of fabric and a layer of reticulated metal on the upper side of the lower perforated plate and the under side of the upper perforated plate to prevent the escape of carbon dioxide crystals.

22. In apparatus oi the character specified, upper and lower separable members adapted to form a compartment and enclose a perforate shell of a refrigerating element; perforated plates in said members between which the shell is confined; means for introducing liquefied carbon dioxide gas into the container within said compartment, and means permitting the escape of waste gases from the shell as it is filled with carbon dioxide crystals; with a base supporting the lower memher and parts attached thereto; and means for raising and lowering the upper member to permit the insertion of the shell or withdrawal of the shell.

23. In apparatus oi the character specified upper and lower separable members adapted to enclose a refrigerating element, means for supporting a perforated mercantile refrigerating element shell; means for introducing liquefied carbon dioxide gas into the refrigerating element shell within said compartment, and means for permitting the escape of waste vapors from the compartment as the shell is filled with carbon dioxide crystals.

24. In the method of forming dry ice bricks, those steps which consist in introducing a liquid refrigerant which is under pressure into a chamber whereby the refrigerant solidifies and automatically cuts off the flow of refrigerant by the displacement of the completely formed brick.

neeneeo 25. The herein described process of producing a mercantile refrigerating" element comprising a casing or shell filled with carbon dioxide crystals; said process consisting in placing an empty shell within a suitably closed compartment, introducing carbon dioxide liquid into said shell while the latter is within said compartment; and preventing escape of the crystals from the shell while permitting the escape of waste vapors.

26. The herein described process of producing a refrigerating element comprising a cas ng or shell; said process consisting in placing a perio rate shell in a suitably closed compartment; closingthe openings in the shell with a material permeable to gas but impermeable to crystals; admitting liquid into the shell to form crystals therein while permitting the escape oi the waste vapors; and finally removing the shell packed with crystals from the compartment.

27. in apparatus of the character specified, a compartment, a removable mercantile perforated shell, means in the compartment for supporting the shell, means for introducing liquefied carbon dioxide gas into the shell, and means for permitting the escape of waste vapors from the cornpertinent as the shell is filed with carbon diox= ide crystals.

28. In apparatus of the character specified having a compartment, a r movable mercantile perforated shell, means the compartment for supporting the shell, means for introducing liquefied carbon dioxide gas into said shell, and means in said compartment to prevent the escape of carbon dioxide crystals from the shell in said compartment while permitting the escape of waste vapors therefrom.

29. In apparatus of the character specified having a compartment, a removable mercantile perforated shell, means in the compartment for supporting the perforated shell, means for introducing liquefied carbon dioxide gas into the shell; and cloths or screens in said compartment to prevent the escape of carbon dioxide crystals from the diell, while permitting the escape of waste gases therefrom whereby the container is filled with carbon dioxide crystals.

so. In carbon dioxide ice making apparatus, a receptacle in which the ice cake is formed, means for supplying liquid refrigerant under pressure to said receptacle, and means operable by completion of the cake for stopping the liquid refrigerant supply.

31. In apparatus of the class described, the combination ofa pair of relatively movable members, a guide carried by one of said members, an encasing member having walls formed of nonheat conducting material and certain of said walls being formed with openings, a layer of reticulated material adapted to lie over each of said openings, and means for efiecting relative movement between said members.

32. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pair of relatively movable clamping members adapted to engage the upper and lower walls of an encasing member, anozzle projecting through the wall of one of said members and the other member being formed with escape passages and a layer of reticulated material, an encasing member formed of non-heat conducting material and having an opening for said nozzle in one of its walls and escape openings in its other wall, means for supplying liquefied gas to said nozzle, and means for supporting the side walls of said encasing member during lit- U:

the expansion of the gas and formation of CI'YS-e tals therein.

33. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pair of relatively movable clamping members adapted to engage the upper and lower walls of an encasing member, a nozzle projecting centrally through the wall of one of said members and the other member being formed with escape passages and a layer of reticulated material, an encasing member formed of non-heat conducting material and having a central opening for said nozzle in one of its walls and escape openings in its other wall, said escape openings being disposed in an annular series, and means for supplying liquefied gas to said nozzle.

34. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pair of relatively movable clamping members adapted to engage the upper and lower walls of an encasing member, a nozzle projecting centrally through the wall of one of said members and the other member being formed with escape passages and a layer of reticulated material, an encasing member formed of non-heat conducting material and having a central opening for said nozzle in one of its walls and escape openings in its other wall, said escape openings being disposed in an annular series, means for supplying liquefied gas to said nozzle, andv means for supporting the side walls of said encasing member during the expansion of the gas and formation of crystals therein.

35. A refrigeration or cooling unit comprising a source of liquid carbon dioxide or analogous 36. A refrigeration or cooling unit comprising 7 a source of liquid carbon dioxide or analogous fluid under pressure, a discharge for said source, means associated with said discharge for accumulating solid particles to which said fluid is converted, and means dependent upon the accumulation of said solid particles for shutting oi the discharge of said fluid.

, 37. A refrigeration or cooling unit comprising a discharge mechanism adapted to be connected with a source of liquid carbon dioxide or analogous fluid under pressure, a collection and expansion chamber into which said fluid is discharged thereby being converted into solid state, a valve plunger in said discharge mechanism projecting into said chamber, means for yieldingly urging said valve to open position and projected inwardly into said chamber, the accumulation of solid material pressing against the projected end of said valve serving to close said valve and means in said chamber for admitting air from the outside thereof.

'SETH L. BRIGHT. 

